Graham
The folks in the local park taking the Recreation Center sponsored Tai Chi class are having fun, getting health benefits and enjoying the friendships being formed.......but if I am ever in a situation were I am confronted by a bunch of drunken sailors I think I take the Chin style folks over the recreation class folks to watch my back. Same with Aikido....doing what amounts to recreation level Aikido is good for many purposes, but it just won't hold up if the situation you are dropped into a place that brings you up against opposition that is greater than the top of the mark for the "kind" of Aikido you are doing.....I'll take the folks who searched out ways to improve and up grade, who have looked into the other arts for help and understanding.......that is the reason to get out and see what is there.